Reviews and evaluation

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​​​​The purpose of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) scheme is to reduce water use, support consumers to make informed choices about the water efficiency of products they purchase, and encourage the uptake of water efficient products.

Since the scheme began, we have regularly reviewed how effective and efficient it is at delivering on these goals.

Through research and evaluation we can:

be confident in the reliability and usefulness of the scheme

ensure we are delivering scheme outcomes at the lowest regulated cost to industry

estimate how well businesses are meeting their obligations to register and label products

understand our consumer audience and be sure that we are successfully reaching them.

Five-yearly reviews

An independent review of the WELS scheme is conducted every 5 years, in line with the requirements of section 76 of the
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Act 2005.

Estimating benefits

reduced greenhouse gas emissions by a cumulative 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents by reducing energy used to heat water

saved consumers over $500 million per year on utility bills.

By 2021, the scheme is expected to save 147 billion litres of water.

By 2030, savings are expected to reach over 200 billion litres of water and over $2 billion per year on utility bills, reducing cumulative greenhouse gas emissions by 46 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents.

Costs, impacts and value of the scheme

The WELS scheme was created during a drought in Australia, as a way to support consumers wishing to reduce water use and a low-cost way to contribute to the security of water supplies to urban and regional communities.

Since the WELS scheme was first created, we have regularly reviewed the potential and actual effects of the scheme on industry — including the impact of introducing our current cost recovery model in 2013.

Our reporting on costs, impacts and value of the scheme has included:

Cost Recovery Impact Statement (2014) documenting the WELS scheme cost recovery arrangement and demonstrated compliance with the Australian Government Cost Recovery Guidelines. This CRIS was prepared for operations from 15 September 2013 to 30 June 2014, when we began recovering 80% of operating costs from industry registration fees.